Duluth Increases Score on Equality Index

The City of Duluth has seen a large increase in its score from a group that examines inclusivity of the LGBTQ community in municipal laws, policies, and services.

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The Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index gives Duluth a score of 86, up from 57 last year, on a scale of 100. Mayor Emily Larson says the score is high for a community of our size, since Duluth has fewer resources than larger cities.

"This is important work for the city to be doing and we need to be on the forefront of it to be a growing community. An indicator like this tells me that we are moving in the right direction," Larson said.

Comparing 2018 and 2019 reports, the largest increases in Duluth's score were due to the addition of a LGBTQ liaison in the city executive's office and a policy on non-discrimination in city employment.

The group issued scores for 506 cities nationwide. Regionally, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Madison, and Milwaukee all scored 100. Duluth tied Racine, Wis., and scored higher than seven other cities studied in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

"We're not gonna settle for this score. We know that scores involve people and people have lives, and that's our goal is to continue to grow and make our city a better place for all of us here," said Human Rights Officer Carl Crawford.